Method and Apparatus for Directing an Antenna Beam based on Motion of a Communication Device

ABSTRACT

A method is performed by a first communication device for directing an antenna beam based on motion. The method includes directing an antenna beam in a first direction. The method further includes receiving motion data that indicates movement of the first communication device or a second communication device. Moreover, the method includes determining, based on the motion data, a change in direction of the antenna beam from the first direction to a second direction toward the second communication device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to controlling antenna beams in acommunication device, and more particularly to a method and apparatusfor directing an antenna beam based on motion of a communication device.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication technologies currently being developed continueto focus on improving a user's experience through, for instance,improving spectral efficiency and signal quality while providing forhigher data rates and increased signal bandwidth and throughput. Forexample, many communication devices are now capable of implementing MIMO(Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output), which is a technology that canincrease the capacity of a radio link by using multiple transceiverpaths and corresponding antenna elements to exploit multipathpropagation for communicating data between communication devices.

Directional or beam antennas are also becoming more widely used. Theseantennas are configured to focus narrower and higher gain antenna beamsin specific directions to allow more precise targeting (e.g.,transmission and/or reception) of wireless signals than omni-directionalantennas. Moreover, technologies such as Wi-Fi used in wireless localarea networks (WLANs) are enabling the development of communicationdevices that operate in multiple frequency bands (for instancetri-band-enabled devices that operate in the 2.4, 5, and 60 gigahertz(GHz) bands) and that are capable of both infrastructure andpeer-to-peer communication. Accordingly, opportunities abound fordeveloping methods and apparatus that take advantage of this breath oftechnology alternatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed embodiments, andexplain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment within whichcan be implemented methods and apparatus for directing an antenna beamin a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example components of acommunication device functioning as an access point and configured fordirecting an antenna beam in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for directing an antennabeam in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another environment withinwhich can be implemented methods and apparatus for directing an antennabeam in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another method for directing anantenna beam in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a table 600 that can be used for determining antennabeam parameters for directing an antenna beam in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another environment withinwhich can be implemented methods and apparatus for directing an antennabeam in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating another method for directing anantenna beam in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another environment withinwhich can be implemented methods and apparatus for directing an antennabeam in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another method for directing anantenna beam in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating another environment withinwhich can be implemented methods and apparatus for directing an antennabeam in a communication device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a mobilecommunication device configured for directing an antenna beam inaccordance with some embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to helpimprove understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. Inaddition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require theorder illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actionsand/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order ofoccurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that suchspecificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.

The apparatus and method components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to the various embodiments, an antenna beamof a first communication device is directed based on location and/ormotion of a second communication device. An antenna beam is definedherein as radio frequency (RF) energy received into or radiated from oneor more antenna elements, wherein the RF energy is characterized atleast by a shape or pattern (e.g., beam width), spatial directionality,and gain. For the described embodiments, the antenna beam is directedthrough “beamsteering,” which, as used herein, means the pointing of theantenna beam in a particular direction. Beamsteering can be accomplishedmanually and/or electronically. Manual beamsteering involves a change inthe physical orientation of a communication device to change thedirection of an antenna beam. Electronic beamsteering, also referred toherein as “beamforming” involves a communication device changing one ormore antenna beam parameters including, but not limited to, changingphase and/or amplitude of a set of RF signals provided to two or moreantenna elements and/or changing the combination of the antenna elementsused in order to shape RF energy in space by changing beam width,directionality, gain, etc., of an antenna beam.

One embodiment is directed to a method performed by a firstcommunication device, which includes receiving first location data thatindicates the location of a second communication device. The firstlocation data is received over a first communication channel. The methodalso includes determining, based on the first location data, firstantenna beam parameters for directing an antenna beam in order tocommunicate with the second communication device over a secondcommunication channel having a shorter communication range or distancethan the first communication channel.

Another embodiment is directed to a first communication deviceconfigured for directing an antenna beam based on a location of a secondcommunication device. The first communication device includes aprocessing element coupled to a communication interface, which includesa transceiver operatively coupled to an antenna system. Thecommunication interface is configured to operate over a firstcommunication channel to receive first location data that indicates thelocation of the second communication device. The communication interfaceis further configured to operate over a second communication channel.The processing element is configured to determine, based on the firstlocation data, first antenna beam parameters for controlling the antennasystem to direct an antenna beam in order to communicate with the secondcommunication device using the second communication channel.

Another embodiment is directed to a method performed by a firstcommunication device for directing an antenna beam based on motion. Themethod includes directing an antenna beam in a first direction. Themethod further includes receiving motion data that indicates movement ofthe first communication device or a second communication device.Moreover, the method includes determining, based on the motion data, achange in direction of the antenna beam from the first direction to asecond direction toward the second communication device.

Yet another embodiment is directed to a first communication deviceconfigured for directing an antenna beam based on motion of a secondcommunication device and/or its own motion. The communication deviceincludes a processor coupled to an antenna beam steering mechanism. Theantenna beam steering mechanism is configured to direct an antenna beamin a first direction. For one example, the antenna beam steeringmechanism includes a set of antenna elements configured for beamforming.For another example, the antenna beam steering mechanism includes avibration motor configured to change an orientation of the firstcommunication device. The processor is configured to receive motion datathat indicates movement of one or both of the first communication deviceand a second communication device. The processor is further configuredto determine, based on the motion data, a change in direction of theantenna beam from the first direction to a second direction.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example environment 100within which can be implemented methods and apparatus for controllingantenna beams in a communication device in accordance with someembodiments. The environment 100 includes a communication device 102 anda communication device 112 that are configured to communicate usingvarious communication technologies, such as cellular and WLANtechnologies. For purposes of the present teachings, communicationdevice 102 is taken to have access point functionality for use inproviding to the communication device 112 access, via a wirelessconnection, to one or more wide area networks (WANs), e.g., a cellularbackhaul and/or the Internet, to which the access point 102 isconnected.

For example, the devices 102 and 112 operate in multiple frequencybands. For a particular embodiment, the devices 102 and 112 aremulti-band devices that operate in the 2.4, 5, and/or 60 GHz bands inaccordance with various Wi-Fi standards including, but not limited to,802.11 a, b, g, n, ac, and ad, and may also operate in accordance withWi-Fi standards that support MIMO technologies including MIMObeamforming. To facilitate MIMO operation (e.g., MIMO 4×4 operation inthe access point 102 and MIMO 2×2 operation in the device 112) andbeamforming (MIMO or otherwise), the access point 102 includes antennaelements 104, 106, 108, and 110, and the communication device 112includes antenna elements 114 and 116. The access point 102 can be afixed access point, a Mobile Hotspot, or a portable or mobile deviceoperating as a Wi-Fi Direct group owner. Example communication devices112 include a smartphone, a cellular phone, a phablet, a tablet, apersonal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a media player, a laptop, oranother type of portable electronic device capable of communicating withan access point according to the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating example hardware components200 of an access point, such as the access point 102, in accordance withthe present teachings. As shown in FIG. 2, the elements or components200 include a communication interface 202, a processing element orprocessor 204, a memory element 206, a power supply 208, and a sensorsuite 244, which includes a GPS receiver 216, a magnetometer 218, agyroscope 226, a barometer 228, an accelerometer 240, and sensors 246for determining relative distance. As further illustrated, thecomponents 200 are coupled to one another, and in communication with oneanother, by way of one or more internal or local communication links242, for instance a bus or other interconnections such as various wires.The power supply or battery 208 provides power to the components 200.

A limited number of device components 202, 204, 206, 208, 242, and 244are shown for ease of illustration, but other embodiments may include alesser or greater number of such components. Moreover, other elementsneeded for a commercial embodiment of a device that incorporates thecomponents shown, such as various input and output components thatenable a user to interact with the communication device 102, are omittedfrom FIG. 2 for clarity in describing the enclosed embodiments.

For an embodiment, the communication interface 202 includes atransceiver system operatively coupled to an antenna system. For aparticular embodiment, the transceiver system includes a Wi-Fitransceiver chip and a cellular transceiver chip. For some embodiments,the Wi-Fi transceiver chip is configured to conduct Wi-Fi communicationsin accordance with the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineering (IEEE) 802.11 (e.g., a, b, g, n, ac, or ad) standards andMIMO communication techniques. For other embodiments, the Wi-Fitransceiver chip instead (or in addition) conducts other types ofcommunications commonly understood as being encompassed within Wi-Ficommunications such as some types of peer-to-peer, e.g., Wi-Fi Direct™,communications, Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) aka Wi-Fi Aware™,and Mobile Hotspot operations. Further, in other embodiments, the Wi-Fitransceiver chip is replaced or supplemented with one or more otherwireless transceivers employing ad hoc communication technologies suchas HomeRF, Home eNodeB (Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE)femtocell), and/or other wireless communication technologies.

The antenna system includes, at a minimum, the antenna elements 104,106, 108, and 110, which are active antenna elements that can becontrolled for beamforming and, for some implementations, MIMOoperation. However, the antenna system can include fewer or additionalsuch active antenna elements. For example, the antenna elements 104,106, 108, and 110 can be part of a fixed or adaptive phased array havinghundreds of active antenna elements. For one particular embodiment, thecommunication interface 202 is configured for chip-based transmitbeamforming, also referred to in the art as TxBF, wherein the phase ortiming and/or amplitude of multiple RF signals provided to multipleantenna elements is adjusted to create an antenna beam having aparticular directionality. For TxBF, the device that forms the antennabeam for transmitting frames is called a beamformer; and the receiver ofthe frames is the beamformee. For another embodiment, a particularcombination of the antenna elements are selectively switched orconnected by corresponding feed lines to the transceiver to radiate orreceive RF energy in a particular direction.

The processor 204 represents hardware that facilitates multipleprocessing functionalities or capabilities in the access point 102. Forone example, the processor 204 represents one or more digital signalprocessors (DSPs) that facilitate processing functionality performed bythe Wi-Fi and/or cellular transceiver chips of the communicationinterface 202 to, for instance: adjust phase; frequency bands; antennaelement combinations; and/or modulation scheme (e.g., binary phase-shiftkeying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), 16-QuadratureAmplitude Modulation (QAM), 64-QAM, 256-QAM, etc.). For another example,the processor 204 represents hardware that provides main or coreprocessing capabilities within the communication device 102 and, in anembodiment, serves as a primary processor, also referred to as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), which processes computer-executable instructionsto control operation of the device 102 and/or a main applicationprocessor. For another embodiment, the processor 204 represents hardwarethat provides secondary processing capabilities such as in connectionwith receiving and interpreting sensor input or data from the sensors244.

The memory component 206 in various embodiments can include one or moreof: volatile memory elements, such as random access memory (RAM); ornon-volatile memory elements, such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an opticalstorage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), aPROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable ProgrammableRead Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ReadOnly Memory), or a Flash memory. In an embodiment, the memory component206 includes a region of shared memory accessible to various components200 of the communication device 102, such as the processor 204 and thetransceiver system of the communication interface 202.

For an embodiment, the sensors 244 detect various parameters or datapoints and provide, to the processor 204 in the form of sensor data(more particularly location data), an indication of what was detected.The processor 204 can then use this location data to determine, forinstance, geographic position, orientation, and/or direction of thedevice 102. Moreover, for some embodiments, when similar location datais received from another device, such as the device 112, the processor204 can use this additional data to determine relative orientation,location, and/or distance between devices 102 and 112. In oneembodiment, the sensors 244 are separate sensors of the electronicdevice 102. Alternatively, the sensors 244 are combined within the samehardware such as in an integrated circuit manufactured usingmicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. For a furtherembodiment, one or more of the sensors 244 are coupled to the device 102as a peripheral, e.g., a USB peripheral or dongle.

For example, the GPS receiver 216 is configured to detect geographicposition of the device 102 and provide location data such as geographiccoordinates that represent, for instance, latitude, longitude, and/orelevation, e.g., in the form of Cartesian coordinates or polarcoordinates. Alternatively or in combination, the processor 204 canexecute a location application to determine geographic position of thedevice 102. The magnetometer 218 is configured to measure strength anddirection of a magnetic field in space. Its sensor data can be used, forexample, to indicate direction relative to the geographic cardinalcoordinates, e.g., N (shown in FIG. 1), S, E, W. The gyroscope 226 isconfigured to generate and provide sensor data that indicatesorientation of the device 102 along its three axes, e.g., the X, Y, andZ axes, based on rotation or angular momentum around the multiple axes.The barometer 228 is configured to generate and provide sensor data thatindicates atmospheric pressure, which can be used to determine how highthe device 102 is above sea level, which can result in improved GPSaccuracy. The accelerometer 240 is configured to generate and providesensor data that indicates acceleration that the device 102 isexperiencing relative to freefall, which can be used to determineorientation of the device 102 along its three axes, based on linearmotion and gravity.

The one or more sensors 246 generate and provide sensor data thatfacilitates determining relative distance between the device 102 and atleast one other device. Such sensors can include, for example, radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensors, presence detection sensors,sensors that enable determining round-trip time (RTT) between twodevices, sensors that enable determining time of flight (TOF) betweentwo devices, etc.

Accordingly, the GPS receiver 216, magnetometer 218, gyroscope 226,barometer 228, accelerometer 240, and sensors 246 can be used alone orin combination to indicate geographic position, motion, speed, velocity,acceleration, and/or orientation of the device 102, and/or relativedistance between the device 102 and another device. For instance, thegyroscope 226 and accelerometer 240 can be used alone or in combinationto indicate a display orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait) of thedevice 102, whether a screen of the device is facing up- or downward, oran orientation of the communication device 102 itself along multipleaxes, e.g., the X, Y, and Z axes, fixed relative to the device 102. Themagnetometer 218, gyroscope 226, barometer 228, and accelerometer 240can be used alone or in combination to determine the relativeorientation of the device 102 in space (e.g., azimuth, pitch, and rollwith respect to North, level, and horizontal respectively) as well asorientation relative to another device, e.g., device 112, when thedevice 102 receives similar location data from the device 112. Theaccelerometer 240 can be used to derive speed and direction in which thedevice 102 is moving to indicate the velocity of the device 102. Othersensors (not illustrated) such as a gravity sensor can be used tomeasure relative orientation with respect to the Earth's gravitationalfield.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 performed by acommunication device, taken to be the access point 102, for directing anantenna beam in accordance with the present teachings. For example, themethod 300 can enable the access point 102 to determine antenna beamparameters to initialize or form an initial antenna beam, e.g., anantenna beam 122, to communicate with the device 112 sooner than ispossible using prior art techniques. Although method 300 is described asbeing performed by the access point 102, the mobile device 112 couldadditionally perform the method 300. Moreover, both devices 102 and 112can be configured to perform methods 500 illustrated by reference toFIG. 5, 800 illustrated by reference to FIG. 8, 1000 illustrated byreference to FIGS. 10, and 1200 illustrated by reference to FIG. 12,wherein a mobile device 112 acting as a Mobile Hotspot or a Wi-Fi groupowner could perform method 1200.

For a first example use case scenario for implementing method 300, theaccess point 102 is configured to perform an omnidirectional scan todetect or discover communication devices within a coverage area 120 thatare seeking to connect to the Wi-Fi network. An omnidirectional scan isa scan for devices that is performed using one or more antenna elementswithout shaping the antenna beam using a beamforming technique. Asillustrated, the coverage area 120 for the omnidirectional scan has arange of r₂. Normally, the device 102 is unable to detect those devicesoutside of the scan coverage area 120, such as the mobile device 112,for purposes of connecting them to the Wi-Fi network. However, themethod 300 can enable the access point 102 to form an antenna beam 118,toward the device 112, which has width W₁ and has a range r₁ thatexceeds the range r₂ of its scan coverage area 120. Moreover, theantenna beam 118 has a higher gain than the gain achievable when thedevice 102 performs the omnidirectional scan, to enable a higher signalquality.

For a second example use case scenario for implementing method 300, theenvironment 100 in which devices 102 and 112 are located has minimalreflective paths or minimal multipath, which makes it difficult or verytime consuming for the access point 102 to collect enough multipath datato allow the access point 102 to calculate a prior art beamformingmatrix to initialize an antenna beam. Accordingly, the devices 102 and112 might be able to associate and communicate in the 2.4 GHz frequencyband but, in the absence of the present teachings, cannot beamform inorder to switch to one of the higher frequency bands, e.g., 5 GHz and/or60 GHz, to obtain a higher signal quality. Accordingly, using method300, device 102 can obtain location data to direct an antenna beamtoward device 112 before performing 802.11 procedures for associatingwith device 112 and before exchanging information to construct abeamforming matrix.

Method 300 is described herein in the context of a WLAN network, whereinthe devices 102 and 112 are configured to operate in accordance withWi-Fi standards. However, the teachings are not limited to thisillustrative context. Namely, method 300 includes the access point 102receiving 302 first location data for a communication device, taken inthis example to be the mobile device 112, over a first communicationchannel 122 having a range r₃. For a further embodiment, the device 102and 112 exchange additional information over the channel 122 such asmanagement frames, beacons, probe requests and responses, identifiersfor the devices 102 and 112, Wi-Fi frequency bands supported by eachdevice, additional information that might be exchanged during a Wi-Fidiscovery process, etc.

Location data for a device is defined as data that indicates a locationof the device, wherein at least a portion of the location data is notderived based on conditions of the channel over which the location datais sent but is instead based on data measured by or received intohardware sensors of the device. For example, the location data can bemeasured and/or derived from data from one or a combination of thesensor types mentioned above, which can be used to indicate location ofthe device in terms of geographic position, motion, speed, velocity,acceleration, distance, and/or orientation.

For a particular embodiment, the access point 102 receives 302 firstlocation data that at least indicates an absolute geographic position ofthe device 112 in space. For the present example, geographic position isindicated using Cartesian coordinates. Accordingly, the access point 102receives as location data for the mobile device 112 the geographiccoordinates of x₁, y₁, z₁. As mentioned above, alternatively, absolutegeographic position could be indicated using a polar coordinate system.

For a further embodiment, the access point receives 302 first locationdata that indicates communication device orientation. For example, thelocation data indicates the relative position of the device 112 based ona coordinate system that is fixed with respect to the device 112. Asillustrated, the fixed coordinate system for both devices 102 and 112 isa Cartesian coordinate system with its x-axis and y-axis defined by aplane on the device, such as the device display, and its z-axis normalto the x-y plane. In such a case, a polar angle can be used tocharacterize the orientation of the device, for instance with respectto, e.g., North, level, and horizontal, and/or the Earth's gravitationalfield. Other orientation indicators based on a Cartesian and/or polarcoordinate system can be used such as angle-of-arrival.

A communication channel, or channel for short (and also referred toherein as a link), is defined herein as a physical transmission medium,such as air for wireless communications or wire for wired or wirelinecommunications, used to carry data or control information between two ormore communication devices for any type of communication including, forinstance, point-to-point, multicast, and broadcast communications. Achannel or link can be further characterized by one or more parametersor characteristics including, but not limited to: a particularcommunication technology used to establish the channel (e.g., LTE,Wi-Fi, Generic Advertisement Service (GAS), cellular, Bluetooth, etc.);a frequency band within which the channel is established; a channelbandwidth; quality of service; etc. A channel or link between twodevices may or may not include intermediary devices such as routers.

Accordingly, the channel 122 over which the location data iscommunicated can be established using any communication technologyshared between the devices 102 and 112. For example, the channel 122 canbe established using a cellular communication technology, such as an LTEchannel, which has a range r₃ that exceeds both r₂ and r₃.Alternatively, the channel 122 can be: a Bluetooth link such asBluetooth Low Energy (BLE); a link that enables devices 102 and 112 tocommunicate over the Internet; a Wi-Fi link established and communicatedover using Wi-Fi technology; a link that enables the communication ofGAS and/or Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) messaging; apeer-to-peer or device-to-device link; a Neighborhood Area Network (NAN)link; a link established using Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS); etc.The device 112 might be aware of the parameters needed to form the link122 through an email hyperlink or previous communications with theaccess point 102, as examples. For another example, the device 112establishes the link using protocol messaging associated with theparticular communication technology protocol, wherein for at least someof these technologies, e.g., BLE, range r₃ might be less than both r₂and r₁.

The access point 102 also determines 304 second location data for itselfusing sensor data provided by one or more of the sensors 244, asdescribed above. For a particular embodiment, the second location dataindicates geographic position and orientation of the access point 102.The access point 102 uses the first and second location data, forinstance the geographic position of device 112 and its own geographicposition and relative orientation, to determine 306 a direction of themobile device 112. As used herein, the direction of the mobile device112 indicates relative position and/or orientation between the devices102 and 112. Known calculations and algorithms can be used to determinerelative position including, but not limited to, trigonometriccalculations, non-linear regression algorithms, studentized residuals,triangulation, etc.

Accordingly, based on the first and second location data, the accesspoint 102 can determine 310 a first set of one or more antenna beamparameters, also referred to herein as first antenna beam parameters, todirect, point, or steer the antenna beam 118 in the direction of themobile device 112. For an embodiment, the first antenna beam parametersare “initial” antenna beam parameters for initializing an antenna beamtoward the device 112, for instance to enable the mobile device 112 touse the access point 102 to connect to the Internet to stream data. Asshown, a polar angle 0 ₁ relative to the coordinate system of the accesspoint 102 is used to indicate the beam 118 directionality, which resultsfrom the initial antenna beam parameters. Accordingly, the polar angleis used to refer, throughout this document, to one or more antenna beamparameters. Antenna beam parameters are defined as any parameters usedto shape, direct, point, and/or steer an antenna beam in or toward aparticular direction. The type of antenna beam parameters determineddepends, at least in part, on the beamforming technique and the types ofantenna elements used to form the antenna beam.

For one example, to change the directionality of the antenna beam whentransmitting, a beamformer controls the phase and relative amplitude ofthe signal at each transmitter, in order to create a pattern ofconstructive and destructive interference in the resulting wavefront.Controlling phase in this context means changing when transmissionstarts. For a particular embodiment, the beamformer uses a fixed set ofweightings and time-delays (i.e., phasings or phase values) to combinethe signals from the antenna elements, primarily using only informationabout the location of the antenna elements in space and the wavedirections of interest. Alternatively, the beamformer can be a simplebeamformer wherein all the weights of the antenna elements can haveequal magnitudes. The antenna beam is, thereby, steered to a specifieddirection only by selecting appropriate phases for each antenna element.Accordingly, for this type of beamforming technique, the antenna beamparameters include phase and can also include relative amplitude.

For another embodiment, an optimal combination of antenna elements isselected to focus patterns of radio energy in the right direction basedon the inherent characteristics of the antenna elements themselves. Forthis type of beamforming technique, the antenna beam parameters indicatethe particular combination of antenna elements that will need to beswitched to the transmitters of the Wi-Fi chip set to shape or steer theantenna beam.

The access point 102 then directs 312 the antenna beam 118 using thefirst antenna beam parameters to communicate with the mobile device 112using a second communication channel. For example, the second channel ischaracterized by one of the higher Wi-Fi frequency bands such as 5 GHzor 60 GHz. In general, the first channel 122 (used to communicate thefirst location data) and the second channel (for communicating using theestablished beam 118) are characterized by at least one differentparameter. For one example, the first and second communication channelscan be characterized by different frequency bands for a same wirelesscommunication technology, such as being characterized by differentfrequency bands for Wi-Fi. For another example, the first and secondcommunication channels are characterized by different communicationtechnologies, wherein either the first or the second communicationchannel is a Wi-Fi channel.

Since the access point 102 has the location and has calculated therelative direction of the device 112, the access point 102 can establishthe antenna beam with sufficient accuracy to see and connect to thedevice 112 even within an environment having minimal multipath or underconditions where the collection of multipath data needed to calculate abeamforming matrix is not yet possible based on the signaling protocolused to establish the second communication channel.

For this particular illustrative context, an 802.11 associationprocedure as defined in the standards must be performed and completed at316 in order for the devices 102 and 112 to communicate over the secondcommunication channel. Accordingly, the first set of antenna beamparameters is determined 312, based on the relative position calculatedusing the first and second location data, before completing the 802.11association procedure with the device 112. Moreover, the multipath datafor calculating 318 a beamforming matrix can, according to at least the802.11 standards, only be obtained after completing the 802.11association procedure to associate devices 102 and 112. Thus, for thisimplementation, the first set of antenna beam parameters determined fromthe calculated relative position of devices 102 and 112 is determinedbefore obtaining the multipath data used for calculating the beamformingmatrix, assuming that there is sufficient reflective paths in theenvironment to calculate such a matrix. It should further be noted thatthe calculated relative position can be used for steering an antennaarray, in accordance with the present teachings, irrespective of whetherdevice 102 calculates the beamforming matrix at 318.

For an embodiment, the beamforming matrix includes at a minimum one ormore phase values (and amplitude weights depending on the type ofantenna array) for steering an antenna beam. In one example, the device112 provides to the device 102 the one or more phase values as themulti-path data for calculating the beamforming matrix to the device102. For another example, the device 112 provides feedback regardingchannel conditions as the multipath data that enables the device 102 tocalculate the beamforming matrix.

For yet another embodiment, the device 102 correlates the relativeposition calculation to the beamforming matrix determined at 318 toadjust the relative position calculations. This is useful, for instance,in indoor environments where GPS determinations may not be as accurate.In this way, more accurate relative position calculations can be usedfor beamforming as well as other applications of the device 102and/device 112 that use or require relative position calculations.Updating the relative position calculations may further be useful where,as described by respect to other embodiments, the device 102 attempts todetermine and use a reflective path to communicate with the device 112.Accordingly, the relative position of devices 102 and 112 can becalculated: at initiation of an antenna beam before 802.11 associationof the devices 102 and 112; at the time of 802.11 association; or after802.11 association; and either once or periodically updated using thebeamforming matrix.

The 802.11 standards have included two ways for the beamformer tocalculate the beamforming matrix for TxBF, implicit feedback andexplicit feedback from the beamformee. For explicit feedback, thebeamformee sends steering feedback directly to the beamformer, giving itinstructions for optimizing the steered beams. The instructions includecommunication from the beamformee to the beamformer of what would workbest for the beamformee in terms of the beamformer's transmit phases andother settings, given the client's current vantage point in the radiospace. For implicit feedback, the beamformee sends training signals tothe beamformer, which allow the beamformer to estimate the MIMO channelbetween the two stations and calculate its own steering matrix. Nodirect feedback is provided from the beamformee.

For a further embodiment, with regards to the method 300, the accesspoint 102 determines 308, based on the first and second location data, adistance between the devices 102 and 112 and determines 314 beamformingbased on this distance. For example, the distance can be calculatedbased on the Pythagorean Theorem using the absolute x, y, z geographiccoordinates obtained for the two devices. Distance calculations can bealternatively calculated or can be fine-tuned using methodologiesincluding, but not limited to, RTT and TOF. Further movement of eitherdevice 102 and 112 can be identified through changes in RTT or TOF,which can be used to trigger the repeating of all or some combination offunctional blocks 302 to 314.

For one particular implementation, determining 314 beamforming includesdetermining, based on the distance between the devices 102 and 112, anumber of antenna elements to enable for directing the antenna beamusing the first antenna beam parameters. For example, when the device112 is closer to the device 102, the access point 102 can generate ashorter and wider antenna beam and still effectively communicate withthe device 112, while reducing battery drain. For anotherimplementation, determining beamforming includes detecting that thedistance between the devices 102 and 112 exceeds a distance threshold,and causing the device 112 to beamform in order to communicate with thedevice 102 using the second communication channel. This effectivelyextends the range of the communications between devices 102 and 112,which improves the signal quality. Additional details regarding acommunication device adjusting beamforming based on relative distancechanges between itself and another device are described later byreference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

For other embodiments, explained in additional detail by reference tosome of the remaining figures, the access point 102 receives updates tothe first location data during a time frame and determines updates tosignal quality during the time frame. For example, certain triggers suchas a change in RTT of TOF can be used as a basis for obtaining updatesto the first location data, second location data, and/or the signalquality. The access point 102 can determine signal quality using orbased on any number of parameters including, but not limited to, biterror rate, packet error rate, signal strength (e.g., RSSI), droppedpackets, etc. The access point 102 can then determine using this updateddata whether any change to the signal quality is due to movement of oneor both of devices 102 and 112 or whether the change to the signalquality is due to an environmental condition. When the access point 102determines that the change in signal quality is due to environmentalconditions, it can, for instance, decide to maintain the current set ofantenna beam parameters for directing the antenna beam or temporarilydirect the antenna beam along a different path than the path associatedwith the current set of antenna beam parameters.

The antenna beam parameters Θ₁ determined based on the absolutegeographic position of the device 112 are for directing the antenna beamalong a direct path to the second communication device. However, eitherupon antenna beam initiation or when the device 112 has moved afterassociating with the access point 102, the access point 102 determinesthat a first reflective path is better than the direct path forbeamforming to communicate with the second communication device 112 overthe second communication channel. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment thatallows communication devices to detect and take advantage of reflectivepaths for improving signal quality of their wireless communications.

More particularly, FIG. 4 illustrates an environment 400 that includesan enclosed room 402 in which both the access point 102 and the mobiledevice 112 are located. For example, the mobile device 112 has movedinto the room 402 while communicating without beamforming with theaccess point 102 using the 2.4 GHz frequency band but now wants tocommunicate using the 60 MHz frequency band.

For an embodiment, the access point 102 is configured to periodicallyreceive updates of first location data, which is the location data forthe device 112. The access point 102 responsively determines a first setof antenna beam parameters Θ₁ for forming an antenna beam along a directpath 406 to the mobile device 112, which is currently at a locationindicated by geographic coordinates of x₁, y₁, z₁. However, usingembodiments of the present teachings, for instance method 500illustrated in FIG. 5, the access point 102 can determine that areflective path is better for beamforming to the mobile device 112 andthen determine a second set of one or more antenna beam parameters Θ₂,also referred to as second antenna beam parameters, for directing theantenna beam a reflective path 408 (shown reflecting from a wall 410).

Block 502 illustrates example functionality that the access point 102could perform to determine that the reflective path is better than thedirect path for communicating with the mobile device 112. For oneembodiment, the access point 102 detects a failure to connect to orcommunicate with the device 112 upon establishing the antenna beam 406using the first set of antenna beam parameters Θ₁. For anotherembodiment, the access point 102 can connect to the device 112 but adetermined or measured signal quality associated with the direct pathfails to meet a signal quality threshold, TH_(SQ), for thecommunications.

Upon determining to use a reflective path, the access point 102 candetermine 504 the second set of antenna beam parameters Θ₂ for directingthe antenna beam along the reflective path in a number of ways. For oneexample, the access point 102 uses a trial and error technique, wherebythe access point 102 tries different antenna beam parameters until itdetermines antenna beam parameters Θ₂ that enable communicating with thedevice 112 at a signal quality that meets or exceeds TH_(SQ). Foranother example, the access point 102 selects the antenna beamparameters Θ₂ that enable communicating with the device 112 at a highestmeasured signal quality.

For yet another example, the access point 102 selects the antenna beamparameters Θ₂ from multiple sets antenna beam parameters, which arestored on the access point 102 or remote to the access point 102 in adatabase. FIG. 6 illustrates a structure 600 for organizing data forselecting antenna beam parameters for communicating using a reflectivepath instead of a direct path. The structure 600 is shown as a tablehaving columns 602 and 604 and rows 606, 608, 610, 612, and 614. Column602 indicates antenna beam parameters for a reflective path, and column604 indicates location of the communication device, e.g., device 112, towhich the access point desires to connect. Each row indicates adifferent entry in the structure 600, whereby if the device is locatedat a particular set of Cartesian coordinates, the access point 102should use the corresponding antenna beam parameters in that entry todetect the antenna beam.

Thus, as shown in the table 600, since the device 112 is located atgeographic coordinates of x₁, y₁, z₁, the access point 102, selects theantenna beam parameters Θ₂ to direct an antenna beam along thereflective path 408. Where the device 112 has different locationcoordinates, as indicated in the rows 608, 610, 612, 614, the accesspoint 102 selects the antenna beam parameters for that entry to directthe antenna beam along a different reflective path.

For one example use case scenario, the structure 600 corresponds to aparticular location 402 such as a room in a house or a public area likea coffee shop, which may have certain areas where some direct paths tothe access point 102 are obstructed depending on where in the room thedevice 112 is located. For example, while in her office 402, a user'sdesk is located at coordinates x₁, y₁, z₁. So, the access point 102initially selects or switches to the reflective path 408 when the userhas her laptop, tablet, or smartphone 112 at or near her desk.Alternatively, a reflective path may simply give a better signal qualityand allow beamforming in a higher frequency band than a direct path atcertain locations in the room 402. Accordingly, since both the room 402and the access point 102 are stationary, a database can be built havingthe structure 600 to allow the access point 102 to quickly select areflective path depending on where the device 112 is located.

At block 506, the access point 102 performs beamforming using theselected antenna beam parameters θ₂ for the reflective path 408. Whilebeamforming, the access point obtains 508 updates (refreshes) for thesignal quality and for the first location data, which indicates thelocation of the device 112. These updates can be obtained periodicallyand/or responsive to one or more triggers, such as a change in RTT orTOF or a change in motion. Additionally, changes in one or more of theseparameters might trigger a change in frequency of receiving the updates.

At block 510, the access point 102 analyzes the updated signal qualityand first location data to see if there are any changes to either thesignal quality and/or the location of the device 112. When changes aredetected to either, the access point 102 can, in one embodiment, act inaccordance with one or more of the functional blocks 512, 514, or 516 todetermine how to beamform in view these detected changes.

For example, the updated first location data may indicate that thedevice 112 has moved within the room 402. For instance, the user movesfrom her desk to a sofa. When the access point 102 receives the updatesat 508 and determines 510 that the device 112 has moved, the accesspoint 102, responsively, determines 516 another set of parameters forcommunicating along another path, such as another reflective path (e.g.,selected using the table 600) or a direct path to the new device 112position. The method 500 then returns to block 506 where the accesspoint 102 communicates using the new antenna beam parameters.

Where the device 112 has not moved but the signal quality may havechanged due to environmental conditions, the access point compares 512the updated signal quality to a signal quality threshold TH_(SQ), and inthis embodiment uses 514 a time threshold TH_(T), to determine thebeamforming parameters to use in directing the antenna beam. For oneexample scenario, someone comes into the room 402 and opens a door 404,which blocks the signal path 408. The door partially obstructing thesignal path 408 may decrease the signal strength but not to an extentthat the signal quality falls below TH_(SQ). Accordingly, the accesspoint 102 continues to operate with the current antenna beam parameterswithout changing them. However, where the signal quality falls belowTH_(sQ) for a time period dictated by TH_(T), access point 102determines 516 another set of antenna beam parameters for beamforming at506. Otherwise, where the time threshold is not exceeded, the accesspoint 102 maintains the current antenna beam parameters forcommunicating with device 112.

For one embodiment, where the access point 102 changes the antenna beamparameters due to environmental parameters, it does so only temporarilyand returns to the original antenna beam parameters Θ₂ for communicatingat 506 before receiving additional updates at 508. For anotherembodiment, the access point 102 continues to operate using the changedantenna beam parameters until the next time that it obtains updates at508 and detects a change in motion or in signal quality that dictateschanging the antenna beam parameters. For yet another embodiment, wherethe access point 102 detects movement, it increases the frequency ofobtaining updates at 508.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an environment 700, wherein a communicationdevice, e.g., the access point 102, implements a method 800 to adjustbeamforming based on changes in distance relative to the device 112.Let's assume that the device 112 starts at a first location x₁, y₁, z₁,wherein access point 102 uses antenna beam parameters Θ₁ to direct anantenna beam 118 having a width w₁ to communicate 802 with the device112, which is at a distance d₁. At 804 and 806, the access point 102receives updates to the first location data for the device 112 andrefreshes its own location data if method 800 is, for instance, beingperformed in a mobile hotspot and also updates the signal qualitymeasurement.

The access point 102 determines 808 the relative distance between itselfand device 112 to detect whether the relative distance has changed. Ifthe relative distance is about the same (within some allowabletolerance), the access point 102 proceeds to analyze the current signalquality in light of the signal quality threshold at 812 and in light ofthe time threshold at 814 to determine whether to maintain 802 thecurrent antenna beam parameters or change them, at 816. The comparisonsand functionality performed in blocks 812, 814, and 816 can be similarto the previously described comparisons and functionality performed inblocks 512, 514, and 516, the description of which is not repeated herefor the sake of brevity.

Where, at block 808, the access point 102 instead determines that thedistance to device 112 has changed, the access point 102 may adjustbeamforming at block 810, accordingly. FIG. 7 illustrates the device 112moving at one instance in time to a location indicated by thecoordinates x₂, y₂, z₂ and at another instance in time to a locationindicated by the coordinates x₃, y₃, z₃. At location x₂, y₂, z₂, thedevices 102 and 112 have a relative distance of d₂ that is greater thanthe distance d₁ at location x₁, y₁, z₁. Likewise, at location x₃, y₃,z₃, the devices 102 and 112 have a relative distance of d₃ that isgreater than the distance d₁ at location x₁, y₁, z₁.

Thus, in accordance with the present teachings, for instance inaccordance with blocks 306 and 310 described above, the access point 102determines a set of antenna beams parameters Θ₂ to direct an antennabeam 702 having a width w₂ to communicate with the device 112 while atthe location x₂, y₂, z₂. Similarly, the access point 102 determines aset of antenna beams parameters Θ₃ to direct an antenna beam 704 havinga width w₃ to communicate with the device 112 while at the location x₃,y₃, z₃. Since, the devices 102 and 112 are communicating at longerdistances in each case, the access point 102 might at block 810 increasethe number of antenna elements that it uses to beamform or direct thedevice 112 to beamform.

For one example, the access point 102 compares the current relativedistance to two thresholds. When the relative distance is lower than thefirst threshold, for instance when the relative distance is d₁, theaccess point 102 beamforms using only two of its four antenna elements.When the relative distance exceed the first distance threshold but islower than the second distance threshold, for instance when the relativedistance is d₂, the access point 102 beamforms using all four of itsantenna elements. However, where the relative distance exceeds thesecond threshold, for instance when the relative distance is d₃, theaccess point 102 beamforms using all four of its antenna elements andsends signaling (such as a command or its own location coordinates) tothe device 112 to initiate beamsteering by the device 112.

FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 illustrate additional embodiments whereby a devicecan adjust its antenna beam based on motion of another device or its ownmotion. In these embodiments, the antenna beam adjustments aredetermined using motion data derived from data provided by sensors onone or both of the devices. A method 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 isparticularly useful when the access point 102 is a mobile Hotspot orWi-Fi group owner. As such, both devices 102 and 112 can be configuredto implement the method 1000 to exchange motion data in order to updatetheir antenna beams while one or both of the devices 102 and 112 aremoving. Moreover, the devices 102 and 112 can implement the method 1000to advantageously update their antenna beam directions to maintaincommunications, for instance, having a similar quality of service, bitrate, etc., when one or more of the devices are moving.

Motion data for a device is defined as data that indicates movement ofthe device corresponding to changes in the geographic location of thedevice and/or changes in orientation relative to the device's internalcoordinate system. Moreover, motion data, as used herein, is not derivedsolely based on conditions of the channel over which the motion data issent but is instead entirely or at least partially based on datameasured by or received into hardware sensors of the device.Accordingly, the motion data can be generated using sensors on thedevice, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc., and can indicateone or more motion parameters such as speed, direction, velocity, and/ororientation of the device.

The motion data exchanged between the devices 102 and 112 could take anysuitable forming including, but not limited to, raw motion sensor datafrom the sensing device that is sent to the other device, motion sensordata that is processed by the sensing device and the processed data sentto the other device, motion vectors such as a velocity vector, etc. Forother embodiments, the motion data corresponds to a modality, of thecommunication device, which indicates user activity. For example, afirst motion modality representing a user of the device walking couldcorrespond to and be interpreted by a processor as a first range ofspeeds. Whereas, a second motion modality representing a user of thedevice running could correspond to and be interpreted by a processor asa second range of speeds, which may or may not have some overlap inspeeds with the first range of speeds of the first motion modality.Other motion modalities could be envisioned for various user activitiessuch as jogging, speed walking, etc.

Since the embodiments described herein can be implemented using mobiledevices, FIG. 12 illustrates example components 1200 of a mobile device.As shown, the components 1200 include a communication interface 1202, aprocessing element 1204, memory 1206, a power supply 1208, and sensors1244, which are operatively coupled using internal communication links1242. The components 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, and 1242 can be configuredto operate similarly to the communication interface 202, processingelement 204, memory 206, power supply 208, and internal communicationlinks 242, respectively, described above by reference to the components200 of an access point, the description of which is not repeated herefor brevity. Additionally, the sensors 1244 of a GPS receiver 1216, amagnetometer 1218, a gyroscope 1226, a barometer 1228, an accelerometer1240, and sensors 1226 for determining relative distance can beconfigured to operate similarly to the GPS receiver 216, themagnetometer 218, the gyroscope 226, the barometer 228, theaccelerometer 240, and the sensors 226 for determining relativedistance, respectively, of the sensors 244 of an access point asdescribed above, the description of which is not repeated here forbrevity.

The mobile device components 1200 further include a display 1210, avibrator motor, and additional sensors 1244 that include one or morepresence sensors 1222, one or more infrared sensors 1220, and one ormore capacitive sensors 1224. The display 1210 can, for instance, be atouchscreen that is both a visual output component and a means ofreceiving tactile input of a user for various functions of the mobiledevice. The vibrator or vibration motor 1212 is a motor that isimproperly balanced and can be used in devices for indicators and, inaccordance with at least some of the embodiments described herein, tochange the orientation of a device. The sensors 1222, 1220, and 1224represent sensors that use different technologies for sensing an objecttouching or near the device including, but not limited to, a user's handor other body part or an object on which the device is resting such as atable. Sensors 1222, 1220, and 1224 can be placed at various locationson the mobile device.

Regarding FIG. 10, the functionality shown therein is describedprimarily from the vantage point of the access point 102 performing themethod 1000. However, the description also applies at least in somerespects to the mobile device 112 performing the method 1000.Additionally, for purposes of this example implementation, let's assumethat the devices 102 and 112 have already performed the 802.11association procedure and at least the access point 102 is currentlyengaged in beamforming toward the mobile device 112.

Accordingly, as illustrated within an environment 900 of FIG. 9, thedevice 112 starts at a first location x₂, y₂, z₂, wherein the accesspoint 102 uses antenna beam parameters Θ₂ to direct 1002 an antenna beam902 having a width w₂ in a first direction to communicate with thedevice 112, which is at a distance d₂. During some time frame or someregularly occurring time frames, for example, the access point 102receives 1004 motion data updates from its sensors and from the device112. The device 102 may also receive 1004 signal quality updates.

The updated motion data is analyzed at block 1006. When the motion dataupdate indicates no motion by either device 102 or 112 the methodproceeds toward blocks 1008 and 1010 to analyze the signal quality datawhether the device 102 should maintain the current antenna beamparameters and continue monitoring 1004 the motion and signal qualitydata or change the direction antenna beam, at block 1012, such as bydetermining and applying a second set of antenna beam parameters orotherwise changing the beamforming.

For example, the access point 102 determines based on updates to themotion data and the signal quality that changes to the signal qualityare caused by environmental conditions instead of movement of the firstor second communication devices, and responsively, maintains the secondset of antenna beam parameters for directing the antenna beam. Foranother example, the access point 102 determines based on updates to themotion data and the signal quality that changes to the signal qualityare caused by environmental conditions instead of movement of the firstor second communication devices, and responsively, determines adifferent set of antenna beam parameters for, e.g., temporarilydirecting the antenna beam along a different path than the pathassociated with the current set of antenna beam parameters. The analysisperformed by the access point 102 in blocks 1008 and 1010 can be similarto the analysis performed and described above by reference to blocks 512and 514 of the method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5, the description ofwhich is not repeated here for brevity.

When the access point 102 instead determines 1008 from the motion dataupdate that either the access point 102, the mobile device 112 or bothare moving, the access point 102 can change 1012 the direction of itsantenna beam from the first direction to a second direction to maintaincommunication with the mobile device 112, for instance while stayingwithin the same frequency band. For one example, the motion updates forthe mobile device 112, e.g., a velocity vector, indicates that themobile device 112 is moving along a path 904 at a certain speed. Usingthis velocity vector, the access point 102 can track the movement of themobile device 112 and, for example, anticipate the location of themobile device 112 at a given time and adjust its antenna beamparameters, at block 1012, to move the antenna beam in the anticipateddirection or to the anticipated relative location of the mobile device112.

To improve these location predictions, the access point 102 could alsoreceive 1018 location data updates from the mobile device 112, asdescribed earlier for instance by reference to blocks 302 and 304 ofmethod 300. Additionally, the access point 102 can obtain multipath dataif available, generate or update a beamforming matrix, which it can useto fine-tune the location data for mobile device 112 and, thereby,fine-tune the updated beamforming parameters.

As illustrated, the antenna parameters are for directing the antennabeam along a direct path to the mobile device 112. However, depending onother factors including whether there are physical obstructions to thecommunications between the device 102 and 112, the updated antenna beamparameters may be for directing the antenna beam along a reflective pathto the mobile device 112. In such an instance, the access point 102 canuse the method 500 of FIG. 5 to select 1012 updated antenna beamparameters to use a reflective path to the mobile device 112. Forexample, the access point 102 can select the updated set of antenna beamparameters from multiple sets of antenna beam parameters stored on thedevice 102 or on a server remote from the device 102. Alternatively, theaccess point 102 could implement a trial and error approach where itselects the updated antenna beam parameters as enabling communicatingwith the device 112 at a signal quality that meets a signal qualitythreshold and/or at a highest measured signal quality.

Additionally, to redirect the antenna beam as the mobile device 112moves, the access point 102 can determine a different beamforming tochange the direction of its antenna beam from the first direction to thesecond direction. For an embodiment, determining beamforming includesdetermining a number of antenna elements to operate to create theantenna beam. Furthermore, the access point 102 can determine, based onthe motion data and the location data, an expected distance between thedevices 102 and 112. The number of antenna elements to operate is,thereby, determined based on the expected distance. For instance, theaccess point 102 may increase the number of antenna elements that itoperates as the expected distance increases and decrease the number ofantenna elements that it operates as the expected distance decreases.

For at least one other embodiment, the access point 102 directs thedevice 112 to steer its antenna beam toward the access point 102 or thedevice 112 contemporaneously performs method 1000 (as mentioned above).Thus, the mobile device 112 determines to steer its beam to maintain thequality and speed of the link while the device 112 is moving or when itstops moving, for instance at a location indicated by coordinates x₁,y₁, z₁. FIG. 11 further shows an environment 1100, wherein the accesspoint 102 is at a location indicated by coordinates x₄, y₄, z₄.

For one example implementation, while stationary at the location x₁, y₁,z₁ the mobile device 112 receives the location data for the device 102and steers a beam 1102 in a direction 1104 toward the access point 102using the antenna beam parameters Θ₄. The mobile device 112 candetermine to redirect its antenna beam by beamforming in one embodimentand in another embodiment can redirect its antenna beam by manualbeamsteering to change the orientation of the device 112. For oneexample, the device 112 mechanically changes its orientation, forinstance using the vibrator motor 1212. For another example, the device112 indicates using an output component, such using a visual indicationon the display 1210 or an audio indication through a set of speakers(not shown), for a user of the device to reorient the device along thetrajectory 1104. The access point 102, if mobile, may also be configuredfor this manual beamsteering functionality.

For yet another embodiment, which can be implemented for instance by amobile access point 102 or the mobile device 112, either device canreceive sensor data (e.g., from one or more of the sensors 1222, 1220,and/or 1224, that one or more of the antenna elements is blocked by anobject. Accordingly, the device selects only antenna elements that arenot blocked to steer its antenna beam. Therefore, in this embodiment,the number of antenna elements to operate is further determined based onthis sensor data.

Additionally, where the device implementing the method 1000 determines,at block 1014, that the change in the direction of its antenna beam wasnot due to signal quality but was due to device motion, the deviceincreases 1016 the frequency of updates to the motion data and thesignal quality updates, performed at block 1004. This can better enablethe device to track motion, especially as the speed of the trackeddevice increases. For example, with this embodiment, while the mobiledevice 112 moves along the path 904, the access point 102 increases thefrequency of obtaining motion data and location data from the device 112to more quickly adjusts its antenna beam as a user is, for example,walking with her device and streaming video data using a 60 GHzconnection.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,”“having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes .. . a,” or “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints,preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, containsthe element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unlessexplicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,”“essentially,” “approximately,” “about” or any other version thereof,are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to bewithin 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodimentwithin 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%.

The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as directly or indirectlyconnected, mechanically, electrically, inductively, or otherwise.Moreover, in some instances coupled may also mean included within. Forexample, a processor being “coupled” to a Wi-Fi transceiver chip canmean that the processor is included as a component on the chip.

A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way isconfigured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways thatare not listed. As used herein, the terms “configured to”, “configuredwith”, “arranged to”, “arranged with”, “capable of and any like orsimilar terms mean that hardware elements of the device or structure areat least physically arranged, connected, and or coupled to enable thedevice or structure to function as intended.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a first communicationdevice, the method comprising: directing an antenna beam in a firstdirection; receiving motion data that indicates movement of the firstcommunication device or a second communication device; determining,based on the motion data, a change in direction of the antenna beam fromthe first direction to a second direction toward the secondcommunication device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion dataindicates at least one of speed, direction, velocity, or orientation .3. The method of claim 2, wherein the speed is indicated by a motionmodality that indicates user activity.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe antenna beam is directed in the first direction using a first set ofantenna beam parameters, and wherein determining the change in directionof the antenna beam comprises determining a second set of antenna beamparameters.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second set of antennabeam parameters is for directing the antenna beam along a direct path tothe second communication device.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein thesecond set of antenna beam parameters is for directing the antenna beamalong a reflective path to the second communication device.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein determining the second set of antenna beamparameters comprises one or more of: selecting the second set of antennabeam parameters from multiple sets of antenna beam parameters stored onthe first communication device; selecting the second set of antenna beamparameters from multiple sets of antenna beam parameters stored remotefrom the first communication device; selecting the second set of antennabeam parameters as enabling communicating with the second communicationdevice at a highest measured signal quality; selecting the second set ofantenna beam parameters as enabling communicating with the secondcommunication device at a signal quality that meets a signal qualitythreshold.
 8. The method of claim 4 further comprising determiningbeamforming to change the direction of the antenna beam from the firstdirection to the second direction.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereindetermining beamforming comprises determining a number of antennaelements to operate to create the antenna beam.
 10. The method of claim9 further comprising: receiving first location data that indicates alocation of the second communication device; determining second locationdata that indicates a location of the first communication device;determining, based on the first and second location data and the motiondata, an expected distance between the first and second communicationdevices, wherein the number of antenna elements to operate is determinedbased on the expected distance between the first and secondcommunication devices.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein determiningthe number of antenna elements to operate comprises increasing thenumber of antenna elements when the expected distance corresponds to adistance increase, and decreasing the number of antenna elements whenthe expected distance corresponds to a distance decrease.
 12. The methodof claim 8 further comprising receiving sensor data indicating whetherone or more antenna elements is blocked by an object, wherein the numberof antenna elements to operate is determined based on the sensor data.13. The method of claim 4 further comprising: receiving updates to themotion data during a time frame; determining updates to signal qualityduring the time frame; determining based on updates to the motion dataand the signal quality that changes to the signal quality are caused byenvironmental conditions instead of movement of the first or secondcommunication devices, and responsively, maintaining the second set ofantenna beam parameters for directing the antenna beam.
 14. The methodof claim 4 further comprising: receiving updates to the motion dataduring a time frame; determining updates to signal quality during thetime frame; determining based on updates to the motion data and thesignal quality that changes to the signal quality are caused byenvironmental conditions instead of movement of the first or secondcommunication devices, and responsively, determining a third set ofantenna beam parameters for temporarily directing the antenna beam alonga different path than the path associated with the second set of antennabeam parameters.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprisingincreasing a frequency of updates to the motion data while directing theantenna beam along the different path than the path associated with thesecond set of antenna beam parameters.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the change in direction of the antenna beam is based on a changein orientation of the first communication device.
 17. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising at least one of: mechanically moving thefirst communication device to change the orientation of the firstcommunication device; or indicating, using an output component,instructions for moving the first communication device to change theorientation of the first communication device.
 18. A first communicationdevice configured for directing an antenna beam, the first communicationdevice comprising: an antenna beam steering mechanism configured todirect an antenna beam in a first direction; a processor coupled to theantenna beam steering mechanism, wherein the processor is configured to:receive motion data that indicates movement of one or both of the firstcommunication device and a second communication device; determine, basedon the motion data, a change in direction of the antenna beam from thefirst direction to a second direction.
 19. The first communicationdevice of claim 18 wherein the antenna beam steering mechanism comprisesa set of antenna elements configured for beamforming.
 20. The firstcommunication device of claim 18 wherein the antenna beam steeringmechanism comprises a vibration motor configured to change anorientation of the first communication device.